Over the last few decades, the growth of business intelligence (BI) has enabled companies to streamline many processes and expand into new markets on an unprecedented scale. In addition, new BI technologies are enabling mass collaboration and innovation.
However, the implementation of these BI solutions often gives rise to new challenges. There are five essential competencies that must be mastered to improve a firm's ability to leverage the new opportunities in a volatile global economy.
These competencies are:
1.Communication,
2.Collaboration,
3.Innovation,
4.Adaptability, and
5.Leadership.
One of the most challenging aspects of leading in the new world model is giving up the need for control. And yet, with the complexity of business today, it is impossible to micro-manage from the top. Not only is it less effective to operate with a top-down leadership style, but it diminishes so much of the energy, wisdom, and vitality of the business.
In the article, "The Paradox of Empowerment,"Wayne Baker states that "empowerment means letting go while taking control. Often this requires leaders to transform the work environment by actively changing "the way people work, relate, think and feel." However, they must also allow time for the new empowerment to "take root, grow and thrive."
"Like any paradox, the paradox of empowerment is full of traps. It ensnares CEO’s or business owners who cannot accept or live in the contradiction of taking control and letting go. Such CEOs become abdicators or meddlers. Those who thrive in the paradox become coaches who learn how to cultivate true empowerment."
Meddlers never really give up control. They say they want self-managed teams, but they often stay too involved and tend to micromanage. This results in team members delegating upward and abdicating responsibility. "Coaches [, however] know the difference between intervention and interference."
Empowering CEOs are experts at tapping into the natural desire of people to work in fulfilling and productive jobs. They know that people are motivated by many things besides money, such as "belonging, mastery, self-esteem, achievement, respect." Meddlers, who generally distrust human nature, feel their employees must be coerced into doing their jobs.
Empowering CEOs and business owners create an environment of collaboration and self-direction. They create effective social mechanisms, such as high-level networks that unite and build community.
Source: Olivia Parr Rud: Business Intelligence Success Factors: Tools for Aligning Your Business in the Global Economy (Wiley & SAS Business Series)
"Just a short note to tell you how we are travelling; We have had our busiest ever summer. This month we took over $100,000 plus accounts. The number sounds good, but more to the point our GP (Gross Profit) is up where it should be.Our accountant rang last week, (shriek), he has just completed last years tax for us. His words were along the line of ”of all the businesses he deals with, he has never seen a business turn around like ours”. Neridah and I attribute this to your time and persistence with us. Thank you." - Trevor and Neridah Cains, Murwillumbah Mowers & Chainsaws.
"Phil, I want to thank you and convey my gratitude for the excellent standard of professional development and service that you have afforded to my staff and me over the past 8 years. The professional Executive Coaching that you have provided to me has been instrumental in both my personal and professional development and I can say without hesitation that your contributions have greatly shaped and aided my achievements of the organisations that I have worked for. The introduction of the PINNACLE’s professional services has certainly provided a strong return on investment and this has led to a positive flow-on effect in relation to the quality of our services." - John Jensen, Executive General Manager, Community Services at House With No Steps
"Whether Phil is providing Executive Coaching to senior managers, facilitating team or leadership development, Phil demonstrates the highest standards of professionalism in his approach, delivery and follow through of the individual projects. Hs ability to deliver an individually tailored solution to any business challenge we presented him with has been an asset to our organisation. He was able to develop a unique understanding of the project brief and deliver a professional outcome that often exceeded our expectations. As a leader of an organisation employing approximately 400 staff and caring for over 700 clients I benefited greatly from his expert and professional guidance." - Anne Leeson, Regional Director, UnitingCare Ageing – North Coast Region
"Phil facilitated the design and development of our strategic business plan with our management team to take us out of the small business syndrome into a medium business mentality. With Phil facilitating the process it ensured a quality process as he kept our business planning team on track and provided clear direction. Phil provided a very much needed sounding board as his past experiences allowed him to look at the issues pragmatically, making our team look at real issues both from left of field and right in front of us, that are often too easily missed." - Matthew Denehy, Managing Director, Eagle Insurance Brokers
"Since I have been working with Phil, I have set actions with time frames in place for everything I do in my business...he holds me accountable for them, and I have learnt so much and grown so much as a result of this. I now feel in control of my business and feel confident I can succeed with growing my business and opening another store." - Sarah, Surf wear fashion retailer.
"Enlightening and Empowering. I have learnt that I know a very small portion of what I need to know and that this is the biggest threat to my financial security.... that business isn’t rocket science and the answers to any difficulties are readily available if you are wise enough to listen and brave enough to re-invent yourself, with the assistance of your coach. Thanks Phil." - Tania, Retail Music Store Owner
"Phil’s input and support as an external consultant with NORTEC since 2010, has ranged from extended individual executive coaching assignments; team based executive leadership development programs; panel involvement in recruitment and selection processes to broad based organisational development initiatives. The diversity of these assignments for NORTEC is testament to both his effectiveness and broad base of knowledge and experience he offers his clients. Phil’s structured and accountable approach, combined with his highly effective facilitation skills and contemporary management knowledge, ensures clarity in terms of respective accountabilities in the client : consultant relationship and realisation of tangible return-on-investment and value for his clients." - Paul Bennett, Chief Executive Officer, NORTEC Employment and Training Ltd.